Musical Instruments: East and West

Highlighting the connections between the musical traditions of different peoples, places, and time periods, this tour gives visitors an appreciation of the Museum's global holdings of instruments selected for social significance, technical virtuosity, tonal quality, and visual beauty. On display are traditional, courtly, and military instruments from all parts of the world, including rare violins, a West African kora (bridge harp), the oldest extant piano, and a Ming-dynasty ivory pipa (lute).

Download the current Free Programs for Adults brochure (PDF), which includes gallery talks, exhibition tours, lectures, Sunday at the Met events, and art-making programs. You can also find up-to-date program listings on our online calendar.

Enjoy collection highlight tours, garden tours, gallery talks, and other programs at The Cloisters museum and gardens, the branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in northern Manhattan devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe.